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After two years as a volunteer firefighter, I enlisted in the Air Force where I spent the next 8 years as a firefighter.

After Basic Training in San Antonio TX, I went to the Basic Firefighter Training School at Chanute AFB in Illinois.

Upon completion of the School I was assigned back home in New Jersey at McGuire AFB where I spent the next three and a half years.

Over a year I was stuck as a driver of McGuire's P15 (Crash-7). There were so many problems with this truck it only responded if the aircraft was "Down & Burning". I was, however, able to attend the Advanced Fire Truck Operations (P-2/P-4) School.

Upon re-assignment (always complete your "Dream Sheet") I went TDY-Enroute to the Rescue Firefighter Course. Rescue School was great and something I had wanted to do since watching Roy and Johnny on "Emergency".

My next assignment was Howard Crash (Howard AFB Republic of Panama). I spent three years there. Starting as a back seater on Rescue-10, I became Driver, and Eventually Crew Chief.

I loved Rescue. We were the only unit that responded off the flight-line. The Panama Canal Commision (PCC) handled all structural calls on the base. We responded to assist with Rescue & Ventilation.

It also gave me the opportunity to train other firefighters on rescue equipment and procedures.

I spent alot of time in the hospital in Panama. This led to my being sent to Andrew's AFB in Maryland for Medical Boards. I spent about a year there until being medically retired. During this time I volunteered to assist with training in the Prince George's County Fire Department.

I still don't spend a day without pain associated with my injuries and have to use a wheelchair to get around the theme parks here in Orlando. I don't care...it was worth it.

Using skills I developed in the military I spent two years as a Senior Operations Officer at Atlantic City Municipal Airport (Bader Field). I became Rescue-1 Training Officer and then Deputy Chief of Fire Operations. Sadly Bader is closed now.

There was so much history there. Now it sits unused.

After a 9 year stay in North Carolina, we moved to Florida. I started as a Duty Officer with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. After two years my position was absorbed by the Highway Patrol. Not long after that, my wife started as a Call-Taker and is now a Duty Officer too. I am now a Duty Officer Trainer and celebrate 10 years in August.

On a personal note...my wife (of 30 years) and I have four great kids. (None of whom became firefighters) A fantastic daughter-in-law. And now...the most perfect grandson in the world.

PAPER MODELS

I've completed a bunch of FDNY apparatus. I've kinda been experimenting with a mixed MS Paint / Photo realistic format. I've even tried my hand at creating the fire stations for these models. They are available at the bottom of the page.

In this section I'll be posting my paper models of USAF Fire Apparatus. Current models include an...

- R2 (R-"Deuce") rescue truck PDF AVAILABLE

- 530B Structural Pumper PDF AVAILABLE

- Type 750A Structural Pumper PDF AVAILABLE

- P-4 Crash Truck (3 Versions) PDF AVAILABLE

- P-2 Crash Truck

and, of course and Assistant Chief's Pick-up truck.PDF AVAILABLE

The Asst Chief's Truck, the 530B, the 750A, and the R2Rescue Truck are now ready and available PDF. See the attachments section below.

750A PROJECT is complete

P-4 Project Complete

My first attempt at paper modelling fire apparatus was the Air Force A/S32P-2. It was a simple model and I am now working on making it more.....sophisticated.

I am also working on a model of the McClellen AFB Special Response Tracked Vehicle. If anyone knows where I can find more information plase let me know.

Although it seams I'm nostalgic for my days on these fire trucks...I was never assigned to any of them (except the P2).

I never even saw an R-2 in service.

The only place I saw a 750A was in tech school. And, it wasn't there for us firefighters, it was there for the mechanic school.

When Engine-4 (a P-8 4WD 500gpm pumper) would go down for repairs at McGuire, we borrowed a 530B from Fort Dix. I rode tailboard once. We didn't have any runs.

I come from the world of P-4s, P-2 Diesels, P-15, and P-19 Crash Trucks. Of P-8 & P-12 Pumpers. Of P-13 Ramp Patrol Trucks. And, of course P-10 Rescue Trucks. These will be my next models.

As a sidenote, I am attempting a plastic model build of the P-10 using a "Little Red Delivery Wagon" for the cab.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

While the 750A & P-4 are completely my creation both the cab & chassis on the 530B & R-2 were created by someone else. I only designed the firefighting bodies and repainted the cabs. My problem is I down loaded them so long ago I don't know who the original modeler is. If someone knows please tell me. The Assistant Chief's truck is a repaint only from the same M37.

I would like to give the original artist credit if anyone can assist me. The 750A, the McClellan Tracked Rescue Vehicle, and the P-2 are completely my creations using skills I learned from watching others and especially trial and error (mostly error).

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT USAF FIRE PROTECTION HISTORY...

Mr. Douglas E. Courchene has written an excellent resource.. "Pioneers With Intent, Memoirs of an Air Force Firefighter."

Published by the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency in 2003, an electronic edition was made available for free download and distribution in 2006. It is availble below unchanged and uneditied in accordance with the copyrights